Worshipping Lord Shiva on Mahashivaratri will lead you to Salvation!

Lord Shiva once said, as recorded in the scriptures, that whoever worships his and Ma Parvati’s statue on Mahashivaratri and fasts will be dearer to him than his own son Kartik. The benefits that one gets from a mere glimpse of Lord Shiva are unmatchable. 

Therefore, Lord Shiva’s devotees observe a strict fast on Mahashivaratri, with many people not even consuming a drop of water. Worshippers dutifully follow all the traditions and customs for the fast as they strongly believe that sincere worship of Lord Shiva on this auspicious day releases a person from all his sins and liberates him from the cycle of birth and death. As Shiva is regarded as the ideal husband, unmarried women pray for a husband like him, while married women pray for the well being of their husbands. 

Devotees wake up early in the morning on Mahashivaratri, and after taking a bath and wearing fresh clothes, they visit the nearest Shiva temple, to give a ritual bath to the Shiva Lingam (with milk, honey, water, etc.). The worship continues the whole day and night. The next morning, devotees break their fast by partaking the prasad offered to Lord Shiva. Chanting of “Om Namah Shivaya” continues throughout the day and night. Belva leaves are continuously offered to the Lingam. Hymns of Lord Shiva are sung with great devotion. 

Here are the methods prescribed for observing a fast and worshipping Lord Shiva on Mahashivaratri: 

Time	Offerings
First Quarter	Til (Sesame Seeds), Jav, Lotus, Belvapatra
Second Quarter	Fruit of Vijora, Lemon, Kheer
Third Quarter	Til, Wheat, Malpua, Pomegranate, Kapur
Fourth Quarter	Udadh dhal (white lentils), Jav, Moong, Shankhpushpi leaves, Belva-patra and Pakodas (fries) of Udadh

Benefits of worshipping Lord Shiva

1. Ablution of Lord Shiva is said to purify one’s soul.
2. By making offerings (Naivaidya) one is said to attain a long and satisfactory life.
3. By lighting a lamp, one becomes knowledgeable.
4. By offering Tambul to Lord Shiva, one can get favourable results.
5. One begets children by sprinkling/ pouring milk on the Shiva lingam.
6. After bathing Lord Shiva with curd, one can buy vehicles.
7. By offering Lord Shiva darbha (a kind of grass) mixed in water, one can get rid of diseases.
8. If honey, ghee and sugarcane are offered to Lord Shiva, one can attain wealth.
9. By bathing Lord Shiva with the holy water of the river Ganges, one can attain salvation.

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